Digest

April 3, 2008|STAFF REPORTS

Palm Beach County

Adjudication withheld for 20-year-old drug dealer

A judge on Wednesday agreed to allow a 20-year-old Ecstasy dealer and "boyfriend from hell" to serve his two-year prison term in jail rather than prison and to withhold adjudication of guilt so long as Matthew Hanyecz successfully completes his sentence.

Hanyecz, of Boca Raton, was the boyfriend of Alexandria Severino, 17, who in January pleaded guilty to two counts of trafficking Ecstasy and one count of trafficking in oxycodone and was sentenced to six years' probation. Circuit Judge Jorge Labarga forbade Severino, who lives west of Boca Raton, from contact with Hanyecz, who pleaded guilty Tuesday to trafficking and selling Ecstasy.

Defense attorney Glenn Mitchell said the judge agreed to modify Hanyecz's sentence because of his age. If Hanyecz successfully completes his sentence, he will not be a convicted felon, Mitchell said.

In addition to the group's regular beach cleanup, Ocean Rescue Chief Tom Mahady will lead a guided walk through the park and beach to discuss natural plant life.

Gary Solomon, the group's organizer, asks participants to bring canned and prepackaged food for the Community Caring Center of Boynton Beach.

Boynton Beach has donated Sand Sifter T-shirts to be given out while supplies last, and Publix has donated 200 reusable shopping bags, Solomon said.

Go to www.sandsifters.org or e-mail info@sandsifters.org.

South Florida

Suspect pleads guilty to extortion charges

A Coral Springs man pleaded guilty Wednesday in Fort Lauderdale federal court to making extortionate loans to gamblers at the Seminole casino in Coconut Creek and other casinos from 2004 to 2007.

Michael Trupiano, 49, admitted he lent money to more than a dozen people at a weekly interest rate of 3 to 10 percent, far exceeding the legal limit. He faces up to 20 years in prison. Under Florida law, the maximum interest allowable on a loan is 45 percent annually. Many of Trupiano's clients were gamblers who could not obtain money from banks, prosecutors said.

He gave one borrower $112,000 in credit at a Las Vegas casino in June or July 2006, according to court records. After the borrower lost the money, Trupiano demanded payment of $250,000 by September 2006. Trupiano threatened to beat up borrowers who did not pay, prosecutors said.

West Palm Beach

Groundbreaking event Friday for athletic complex

Leaders of Palm Beach Atlantic University will join city officials to celebrate the groundbreaking of the new Palm Beach Athletic Complex and community park at 3 p.m. Friday off Parker Road between Belvedere Road and Southern Boulevard.

The new complex and park are being built on 77 acres that have long stood vacant and fenced off.

The university will build baseball, softball, soccer, tennis and cross-country facilities on a campus for its athletic teams.

In addition, there will be a public park built on 12 acres that will be deeded to the city.

The university purchased the parcel for $3.2 million in 2006.

The event is free and open to the public. Casual attire, including athletic shoes, is encouraged for the outdoor event.

For more information on the event, call 561-803-2010.

I-95 Update

The Florida Department of Transportation reports the following on Interstate 95:

Three lanes in each direction from Sixth Avenue South to 10th Avenue North will be closed 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. through Friday morning.

One lane of the entrance and exit ramps at Sixth Avenue South will be closed 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. through Friday morning.

One lane of the northbound exit ramp to 10th Avenue North will be closed 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. through Friday morning.

Two lanes in each direction from 10th Avenue North to Southern Boulevard will be closed 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. through Friday morning.

Two lanes in each direction from Southern Boulevard to Palm Beach Lakes Boulevard will be closed 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. through Friday morning.